UEFA had ruled City must have eight home-produced players in their reduced 21-man pool because the club had breached their financial fair play rules.

But they have reduced this quota to five after pressure from the players' union FIFPro.

UEFA's general secretary Gianni Infantino said they accepted FIFPro's argument that the sanction was unfair on the players.

"It came after a request from the players union FIFPro saying when you take these kind of sanctions and measures you cannot harm the players and the rights of a player who has a contract for the behaviour of the clubs," said Infantino.

"So we looked at it and it was felt appropriate there for the number to be proportionally reduced as well."

UEFA's decision means City can cope better with the loss of Joleon Lescott and the likely departures of Micah Richards, Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair.